How God delivers us - Part A

STUDIES IN THE LORD'S PRAYER

STUDY TWELVE: HOW GOD DELIVERS US - PART A

In this study we will begin to look at God's provision of deliverance - his way out that enables us to stand and survive in the presence of the testings/temptations of the evil one.

A. OUR CALLING

Who we are in Christ protects and delivers us from the evil one and his temptations/testings. It also provides us with both an assurance and a motivation to persevere. Much more could be said about our calling than what is listed below.

[1] Our calling as disciples (followers, students) of Jesus Christ:

The Christian has a high calling: to follow Jesus Christ, that is, to live as Jesus lived. It is to this that we committed ourselves when we responded to his 'follow me'. This calling is his gift. It is not ours because we have deserved or merited or earned it.

1 Corinthians 1:26

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise ...

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance fro us to do.

Ephesians 4:1

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received ...

2 Timothy 1:8-9

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace ...

Hebrews 3:1,2

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him ...

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:20-21

... But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you leaving you an example ... that you should follow in his steps. ...

[2] Our calling as children of our heavenly Father:

The Christian believers are identified in the Scripture as a 'children of God' or 'sons of God' (John 1:12; Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:6-7; Ephesians 1:4). Again, this calling means protection, deliverance, assurance and motivation.

Matt 5:44,45,48

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends his rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ... Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Romans 9:26

'it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, "you are not my people" they will be called "sons of the living God."'

1 John 3:1-3

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ... we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

[3] Our calling to the sure hope of salvation/eternal life with God, according to his will and purpose:

Romans 8:28-30

... called according to his purpose .. predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son ... called ... justified ... glorified

Romans 9:24

... he did this to make known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory - even us, whom he called, not only from among the Jews but also from the Gentiles.

Ephesians 1:18

I pray ... that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints ...

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 3:1

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling

1 Peter 1:13-15

Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

B. THE INTERCESSION OF JESUS, OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

[1] Luke 22:31-32:

'Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.'

[2] John 17:11,15, 20, 24.

'Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one. ... My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ... I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message ... Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.'

[3] Romans 8:34:

'Who is it that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than hat, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.'

[4] Colossians 3:1,3:

' ... you have been raised with Christ ... you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.'

[5] 1 Timothy 2:5:

'there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ... '

[6] Hebrews 4:14-16:

'Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.'

[7] Hebrews 7:24,25:

' ... but Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.'

[8] Hebrews 10:21-22:

' ... and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith ... '

[9] 1 John 2:1:

' ... if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence - Jesus Christ, the Righteous one.'

When we pray 'lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil' we have this assurance, that Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God as our great High Priest. His presence there is a constant intercession on our behalf.

SUMMARY:

These two facts - our calling and our great High Priest - ensure that the true believer [1] will be subject to the attacks of the evil one, on the one hand, but [2] will, without any doubt, survive those attacks. Because we do not stand alone, but with Christ, his enemy is our enemy. But because we do not stand alone, but with Christ, those attacks, though threatening and painful, will not, can not, destroy us.

godswordforyou.com acknowledges that God exists, that He loves us with an incredible love, and that He has spoken and continues to speak to us in the Bible, his written Word. Over and above all, this site affirms that God, in a manner totally contrary to how we would think and act, has provided in and through Jesus Christ his eternal Son, a way of forgiveness in which we can live in his presence guilt free, acquitted and at peace.